It wasn't in the run of play, but Wynalda's goal vs Switzerland in the 94 WC was the Best IMO....and he did it again (almost an exact replay) vs Chile the very next year in the 95 CA. Ramos' goal vs Costa Rica in a WCQ in Portland, OR in 1997 was probably better as well (very similar to Feilhaber's too IIRC, but more of a straight rocket into the upper 90).
Preki had a nice goal versus Brazil in '97(?). I think it was the Gold Cup semi-final. I'll see if youtube has it.
off the top of my head... Paul Caligiuri vs. T&T in 1989 WCQ Eric Wynalda vs. Switzerland in 1994 WC Landon Donovan goal #3 vs. Ecuador in 2007
Are we basing this on the beauty of the goal, the importance of the goal, or some combination of the two?
As big as Caligiuri's goal was, I don't think it was technically a better goal than Benny's. Benny's came on a full volley, whereas Caligiuri's came on a half volley that he had been dribbling. Caligiuri's was certainly more important, but speaking strictly from a "better goal" standpoint, I think Benny's is better.
The thing that makes Feilhaber's goal so great is the stage it was in. A game-winner in a Cup Final. That's why his goal will be one of the best, hopefully he can keep it up in Venezuela
I don't think so. I think that it's just that we're starting to build a history. B4 Cali's golazo... we had no history. That's why for me -- despite not being as pretty -- it's still thee best US goal. It was so much more important. For me, from there you take a combo of importance and beauty for the next few goals. In the top 7, there's gotta be at least 3 that are there for "importance" sake. From there on out, it's beauty. Mis dos pesos.
On aesthetics, the best. Rooney-esque. Reminds me of Rooney's "Wonder strike" against Newcastle. Also the best because he high-fived me when he left the field. What other player would do that?
Paul Caligiuri's goal vs Trinidad & Tobago (WCQ 1989) [youtube]ymQ-fIwVnV8[/youtube] Preki's goal vs Brazil (Gold Cup Semifinal 1998) [youtube]4jYiUwR9t_w[/youtube] Benny Feilhaber's goal vs Mexico (Gold Cup Final 2007) [youtube]qETrlNYxjyM[/youtube]
Maybe this should be made into a poll. This one would definitely get my vote. It's not as influential as some other ones, but a game-winner against Mexico in a cup final and my face eek when it went in earns it the number 1 spot. Thanks for the links, Revs. Caligiuri's is still probably the most important goal in US history and it would be an incredible goal in any situation but Feilhaber's was much more difficult and it was against Mexico.
I'm a big fan of the McBride header in the 2002 WC against Portugal. He just went flying in, balls to the wall, and blasted it in with reckless abandon.
Hey guys gimme a second, I was marvelling at those goals while posting them Eric Wynalda vs Switzerland (World Cup 1994) [youtube]MHtbb3yd9wM[/youtube] Landon Donovan vs Ecuador (Friendly 2007) [youtube]6KakX0Ctmxg[/youtube] Brian McBride vs Portugal (World Cup 2002) @ 1 minute [youtube]EjnEL4FG6F0[/youtube]
Just the one against Switzerland. Perfectly placed free kick... brilliant! But it was a free kick. I've seen defenders trying to clear a ball similar to Feilhaber's totally whiff. This guy blasted it perfectly for a goal.
It was only a friendly, but deracinated of context, I think the best US goal I've seen is Kirovski vs. Germany, a friendly in, I think, January 1999.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymQ-fIwVnV8&NR=1 Given the circumstance + the degree of difficulty...this is the best US goal ever (warning: porno haircuts and tight shorts coming!)